Hartzler sees missed opportunity

Going after responsible gun owners is not the way to stop mass shootings

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-04) today voted against H.R. 8, Democrat led legislation that would essentially outlaw current gun shows by forcing transactions to be conducted through a federally licensed dealer. The legislation does nothing to address the true causes of gun violence and instead targets law abiding gun owners in an attempt to increase gun control across the country.

“I fully support efforts to end gun violence and stop criminals from obtaining guns. This legislation, however, does not accomplish that goal. In fact, H.R. 8 fails to focus at all on gun violence and criminals who access guns,” said Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler. “Instead this legislation burdens law abiding gun owners by making it more difficult to purchase firearms despite their constitutional right to do so. This initiative is politically motivated and disingenuous, at best.”

“I believe we can more effectively stem gun violence by enforcing and strengthening existing laws on the books, like Congress did last year when we passed legislation to ‘FIX NICS,’ the National Instant Criminal Background Check System,” Hartzler said. She added that a recent Department of Justice (DOJ) report shows, overwhelmingly, that most criminals obtain firearms illegally. “Today’s bill simply goes after the wrong people, failing to even address straw purchases or the black market, both primary sources for criminals hoping to buy firearms illegally. The bill would even make it illegal for a victim of stalking or domestic violence to borrow a gun for self-protection unless there is an ‘imminent threat.’ H.R. 8 is a massive overreach.”

The House voted today to pass H.R. 8 by a vote of 240 – 190. The bill now goes to the Senate where it awaits further consideration.